Our Staff
OUR STAFF
Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Nicole Barber
Licensed Funeral Director
Nicole is a second generation Funeral Director, proudly following in her maternal grandfather's footsteps. She was born in Herkimer and grew up in Fort Plain, NY. Nicole is the daughter of Ron and Eileen (Hayes) Kretser. She has 2 sisters; Sheena Kretser of Fort Plain and Savannah (Dan) Johnson of Cobleskill.
Though Nicole always felt her true calling was within the funeral service industry, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Philosophy from SUNY Cortland in 2005. Ultimately, and with the encouragement and support of her loving family, Nicole pursued a degree in Mortuary Sciences from Hudson Valley Community College and obtained her Associate in Applied Sciences in 2016. Nicole resides with her husband, Charles Barber; daughter, Ziva; and son, Asher.
She brings several years of experience from her previous employment at another local funeral home in the Upstate New York area. She is delighted to have found her place at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home as a licensed Funeral Director. She enjoyed working alongside Janet and Richard, and is dedicated to ensuring their rich history of 'serving every family as our own'.
Nicole Barber
Licensed Funeral Director
Nicole is a second generation Funeral Director, proudly following in her maternal grandfather's footsteps. She was born in Herkimer and grew up in Fort Plain, NY. Nicole is the daughter of Ron and Eileen (Hayes) Kretser. She has 2 sisters; Sheena Kretser of Fort Plain and Savannah (Dan) Johnson of Cobleskill.
Though Nicole always felt her true calling was within the funeral service industry, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Social Philosophy from SUNY Cortland in 2005. Ultimately, and with the encouragement and support of her loving family, Nicole pursued a degree in Mortuary Sciences from Hudson Valley Community College and obtained her Associate in Applied Sciences in 2016. Nicole resides with her husband, Charles Barber; daughter, Ziva; and son, Asher.
She brings several years of experience from her previous employment at another local funeral home in the Upstate New York area. She is delighted to have found her place at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home as a licensed Funeral Director. She enjoyed working alongside Janet and Richard, and is dedicated to ensuring their rich history of 'serving every family as our own'.
Isaiah Cechnicki
Licensed Funeral Director
Isaiah was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Fort Plain, NY. Isaiah is the son of Patrick and Jennifer Cechnicki. He has an older brother, Joshua Cechnicki, and a younger sister, Eliza Cechnicki.
Isaiah is an honors graduate of Fort Plain Junior and Senior High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Mortuary Science program at SUNY Canton, class of 2020, where he excelled academically. He completed his residency requirements in Amherst, NY under the tutelage of Dietrich Funeral Home.
Isaiah has always felt the need to serve his community. He is a member of Johnson City Unity Lodge #970 F & AM. He is excited to have relocated to Cobleskill with his wife Lucy to pursue his career in funeral service and become an active part of the community.
Isaiah Cechnicki
Licensed Funeral Director
Isaiah was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Fort Plain, NY. Isaiah is the son of Patrick and Jennifer Cechnicki. He has an older brother, Joshua Cechnicki, and a younger sister, Eliza Cechnicki.
Isaiah is an honors graduate of Fort Plain Junior and Senior High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Mortuary Science program at SUNY Canton, class of 2020, where he excelled academically. He completed his residency requirements in Amherst, NY under the tutelage of Dietrich Funeral Home.
Isaiah has always felt the need to serve his community. He is a member of Johnson City Unity Lodge #970 F & AM. He is excited to have relocated to Cobleskill with his wife Lucy to pursue his career in funeral service and become an active part of the community.
